Two for Batshuayi as Chelsea get past Rovers

Chelsea 3 Bristol Rovers 2

Michy Batshuayi scored twice as Chelsea survived a scare to progress in the EFL Cup.

The Belgian converted Nemanja Matic’s deflected cross and Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s pull back, either side of a Victor Moses goal, to put the Blues 3-1 up at the break.

But a penalty conceded by Pedro preceded a spell of Rovers pressure that bore hallmarks of Chelsea’s humbling by Bradford in the FA Cup a little over 18 months ago.

However, there was to be no repeat as the Blues saw out a victory, Batshuayi denied a hat-trick by an offside flag.

A Chelsea side showing six changes from Saturday’s win at Watford,including a debut for Ola Aina, dominated early on, with Pedro going close and Loftus-Cheek smacking a shot off the inside of the post.

Rovers’ resistance was finally broken with two goals in three minutes around the half-hour mark, as Matic’s ball fell kindly for Batshuayi eight yards out and then Moses slotted in after Cesar Azpilicueta had stretched to keep Pedro’s cross alive.

Rovers pulled one back when Peter Hartley met Chris Lines’ free-kick but Batshuayi’s second, after good work by Loftus-Cheek, put breathing space between the two sides.

However, just after the break, Stuart Sinclair was bundled over in the box by Pedro and Ellis Harrison scored the penalty.

Rovers twice came within inches of an equaliser during a purple patch, as Harrison’s firm volley clipped the bar and Jermaine Easter saw a shot tipped over by Asmir Begovic.

Chelsea had chances to put the game to bed, Steve Mildenhall making a one-handed save from Branislav Ivanovic’s header and Batshuayi having a goal ruled out, as Rovers ran out of puff.